Clip for positioning concrete blocks

ABSTRACT

A bifurcated and perforated gauge clip for permanent frictional engagement to opposite lower ends of each concrete block placed above a first horizontal row thereof for providing uniform width of horizontal troweling of concrete or mortar between each row of blocks, including a projection on one side of each clip for gauging the width of the vertical troweling between each of the blocks in each row.

United States Patent 620,594 3/1899 Ketchum Inventor Joseph S. Wargoe Miami, Fla.

Appl. No. 829,687

Filed June 2, 1969 Patented June 15, 1971 Assignee Ograw Products Inc.

Miami, Fla.

CLIP FOR POSITIONING CONCRETE BLOCKS 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 52/127, 52/309, 52/442, 52/604, 52/712 Int. Cl E04c 5/16, E04b 2/06 Field of Search 52/712, 421,422,603,99,584,440,127,307,604;46/26, 27, 29

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 977,794 12/1910 Griswold et al 52/584 1,021,552 3/1912 Nolan 52/421 1,146,223 7/1915 Wiswell 52/584 1,631,373 6/1927 I-Iewlett.. 52/584 1,909,516 5/1933 Barbato... 52/421 2,669,116 2/1954 Erickson 52/99 FOREIGN PATENTS 440,423 12/1935 Great Britain 46/29 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant Examiner-James L. Ridgill, .lr. ArtorneyLloyd J. Andres ABSTRACT: A bifurcated and perforated gauge clip for permanent frictional engagement to opposite lower ends of each concrete block placed above a first horizontal row thereof for providing uniform width of horizontal troweling of concrete or mortar between each row of blocks, including a projection on one side of each clip for gauging the width of the vertical troweling between each of the blocks in each row.

PATENTED JUN} 51% INVENTOR. JOSEPH S. WARGOE BY PIC-3.5

CLIP FOR POSITIONING CONCRETE BLOCKS This invention relates in general to the art of masonry and more particularly to the precise placement of concrete blocks, such as used in building structural walls and more particularly to low cost gauge attachments for each block to establish a precise distance between the horizontal and vertical troweling of concrete r mortar.

Prior to this invention, it was difficult for the mason to rapidly trowel the concrete or mortar between horizontal and vertical spaces between blocks in uniform width because of settling and variations in the consistency of the concrete or mortar used between blocks.

The present invention overcomes the above difficulties and objections by the provision of an inexpensive clip placed and frictionally retained on the lower opposite edges of each block for gauging the placement thereof on a first established level lower row of blocks or other known level starting surface.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a bifurcated gauge clip adapted and constructed to straddle the lower end marginal edges of each block and extending downward a predetermined horizontal spacing distance from each pair of the lower blocks.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bifurcated clip for gauging the horizontal spacing of each block in a row thereof, which clip includes a transverse projection for gauging the predetermined vertical space between blocks.

These and other objects and advantages in one embodiment of the invention are described and shown in the following specification and drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the gauge clip for establishing a predetermined troweling space for concrete or mortar between horizontal rows of blocks.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary portion of a concrete block wall showing one of the gauge clips as applied to the opposite lower ends of all of the blocks above the first layer thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through section line 3-3, FIG. 2, using the gauge clip shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gauge clip for the gauging of both horizontal and vertical troweling between blocks.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a concrete block wall using the gauge clips shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bifurcated gauge clip is molded from low cost plastic material, such as polystyrene, which includes a base portion 1 having a planar bottom and top with a height (D) and a plurality of corrugations 2 around all sides thereof. The base portion includes two rows of vertical holes 3. A pair of parallel spaced integral legs 4 and 5, spaced a distance W, extend upward from base 1 and each clip has three rows of holes 6 therethrough. Each clip has an inward facing arcuate portion or groove 7-7 for holding same with high friction when applied to the lower opposite ends of a concrete block.

Referring to FIG. 2, a portion of a concrete foundation 8 shows a portion of a first row of concrete blocks 9 secured in level horizontal formation to the top surface of the foundation which has been troweled by well-known means into a straight level surface.

The uppermost row of block illustrates one gauge clip frictionally attached to the lower one side of the block with the base portion 1 resting on the center of a divider 10 of the first row of blocks positioned to be troweled with concrete or mortar into place. FIG. 3 shows the blocks 9 with the gauge clips in place and resting on the divider 10 of the first row of blocks which establishes a horizontal troweling width (H) between the upper and lower blocks.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a gauge clip of alternate form is identical to that shown in FIG. 1 except the addition of two lateral projections 11- which have vertical coplanar outer surfaces with each projection having a air of holes 12, as shown.

The holes and corrugations in the embodiment of the clip described are for the holding characteristics of the cli with respect to the concrete or mortar and locks. When t e alternate clips are secured to the lower ends of each block and the mating block and projections 11 are in contact with each other, then the vertical width (V) of he troweling spaces has been established. Thus it is apparent that both the horizontal and vertical troweling spaces in the entire wall will be substantially uniform.

It is to be noted that the clip may be made from materials other than plastic, such as a sheet metal stamping or diecast metal. Molded plastic material such as polystyrene is preferred, however, because f its low cost and resistance to corrosion.

This invention comprehends modifications in construction according to the teachings and spirit of the above specificatron.

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A gauge clip for concrete blocks, said clip being made of molded plastic material and comprising a generally rectangular base having a planar top and bottom surface, said rectangular base being provided with a plurality of rows of holes communicating between the said top and bottom surface, said rectangular base having a plurality of corrugations around the sides thereof, a pair of generally parallel legs each of which is attached to the longitudinal edge of said rectangular base providing a U-shaped clip configuration, each of said legs having a groove projecting longitudinally over said base, each of said legs being provided with a plurality of rows of holes extending therethrough transversely to the holes of said base.

2. The clip of claim 1 wherein projection means are placed on the outer face of one of said legs.

3. In combination in a mortared wall a plurality of concrete blocks having ends with vertical webs and a plurality of U- shaped gauge clips each having a pair of legs interconnected by a base engaging the block webs, the said webs being disposed between the clips legs and resting on the upper surface of the bases of said clips, the legs and base of each clip having holes therethrough, said clips each having a pair of lateral projections at the ends thereof on one leg, the pair of projections abutting between adjacent clips for laterally spacing the block ends of adjacent blocks, the bottom planar surfaces f each clip base resting on the web of a block therebelow, said clips being embedded in the mortar, and the mortar extending through the holes in the legs and bases to lock same. 

1. A gauge clip for concrete blocks, said clip being made of molded plastic material and comprising a generally rectangular base having a planar top and bottom surface, said rectangular base being provided with a plurality of rows of holes communicating between the said top and bottom surface, said rectangular base having a plurality of corrugations around the sides thereof, a pair of generally parallel legs each of which is attached to the longitudinal edge of said rectangular base providing a U-shaped clip configuration, each of said legs having a groove projecting longitudinally over said base, each of said legs being provided with a plurality of rows of holes extending therethrough transversely to the holes of said base.
 2. The clip of claim 1 wherein projection means are placed on the outer face of one of said legs.
 3. In combination in a mortared wall a plurality of concrete blocks having ends with vertical webs and a plurality of U-shaped gauge clips each having a pair of legs interconnected by a base engaging the block webs, the said webs being disposed between the clips'' legs and resting on the upper surface of the bases of said clips, the legs and base of each clip having holes therethrough, said clips each having a pair of lateral projections at the ends thereof on one leg, the pair of projections abutting between adjacent clips for laterally spacing the block ends of adjacent blocks, the bottom planar surfaces f each clip base resting on the web of a block therebelow, said clips being embedded in the mortar, and the mortar extending through the holes in the legs and bases to lock same. 